Investigated adolescents' perceptions of what contributed to their feeling safe at school and their strategies for enhancing a sense of security. High school students from rural and suburban New York State public schools completed focus group and individual interviews. Overall, students depended on peer predictability to feel safe at school when…

Examines the short-term outcome of an antibullying program by comparing children attending a school involved in the program to children not receiving the program. Results indicated that bullying did not decrease four months after the program was introduced. There were, however, improvements reported in the level of victimization, peer isolation,…

As schools try to do more with less, many PTAs are working with school officials to help improve the school environment. Playground safety is one area where PTAs can make a difference. For example, PTAs can work with schools to schedule volunteers to help with recess supervision. They can also teach children the rules of the playground and how to…

These handouts describe: Working Together for Safer Communities (a PTA program to provide parents with ideas and resources for talking to their children about potential risks, avoiding danger, and responding to threat); tips for parents on helping children be safe; and the Our Children Newsletter, which contains excerpts from the October 2002 Our…

Outlines 21 actions, both immediate and over the long term, that administrators can take to protect students and schools from terrorist activities. Includes establishing a chain of command, a command post, a crisis response team, a communications staff, and inservice training. (four references) (MLF)

Overexposure to lead can permanently impair a child's mental and physical development. This article discusses sources of lead paint, survey and testing methods, management and abatement plans, drinking water contamination, and associated federal standards. Although lead is present in soil and in art, theater, and vocational programs, no federal…

Environmental and consumer-safety groups are urging caution in the use of pesticides in the schools. Some schools are successfully using integrated pest management (IPM). IPM combines monitoring for pests with the selective use of the least toxic strategies, not all of them chemical. Offers advice and resources to help administrators switch to…

A preliminary study of suburban Chicago elementary schools in affluent, middle-, and low-income neighborhoods showed that parents were more concerned about their children's welfare than about curriculum or school operations. Principals should be available, emphasize basic information, develop effective security measures, clarify discipline…

A survey, based on site visits to 206 randomly selected playgrounds in school systems in 23 states, notes numerous safety problems. The designer of more than 75 playgrounds offers guidelines that improve the safety as well as the physical fitness value of school playgrounds. (MLF)

Here's how to untangle the web of laws and jurisdictions concerning chemical hazards. (Author)

Interviewed day-care center directors to determine injury rates. Found that injury rates were relatively low and that many of the injuries that occur in this setting are probably minor. Suggests that lowering height of playground equipment and providing more resilient playground surfaces could further reduce injury risks. (HTH)

The DeKalb County (Georgia) School System has reduced the number of gun-toting students by over 65% by piecing together a program combining education, community involvement, mandatory expulsion, and video technology. Kids do their part by learning the school's discipline policy, discussing nonviolent alternatives, and carrying clear bookbags. (MLH)

Presented is a case in which a child was poisoned on school grounds by organophosphates used to control aphids. Details of the case and the role parents can play in the safety of pesticide use at schools are discussed. (CW)

Reviews selected commercially published and research literature curricula and procedures available for violence prevention efforts in the school setting. Posits primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention model as useful model for school-based efforts. Addresses those programs and procedures considered to have potential for effective outcomes when…

To protect schools against violent intruders, principals are advised to reexamine plant security, control and monitor school access, upgrade supervision quality during outside activities, develop neighbors' security awareness, keep accurate records of unusual occurrences, work with local law enforcement, investigate private security services, seek…